Watched his reports every Sunday after football since I was a teenager. I'm beside himself. He basically died doing what he loved. From the most mundane aspects of life to the most visceral, Andy had a gift to tell it as it is with profound eloquence and depth.
Andy always had a knack of taking something we take for granted everyday and make it interesting with his incisive quips:
What happens to a Used Car after it's sold
What's in Andy's Drawers?
Criticizing Bush on the Iraq War
News now have the depth and insight of a shallow mud puddle. Jump into it and you splash dirt all over you with its slander and trite cliche sound bytes that add no substance, context, or applicable information to make an informed decision and make you think.
His news pieces were always sensible and gave the impression that he was directing his words to you like you are his special guest. I don't recall anyone who had the knack to notice how the size of coffee tins have decreased while the price has increased over time and make me feel outraged in less than 3 minutes. That is power in the heft of words. Andy Rooney was of a bygone era when news and commentary mattered for a society to learn and grow. He will never be replaced and will be greatly missed.
PS Another Gem: